natsukashiiiiii ne

not sure why, but this weekend i've been SO nostalgic [natsukashii] for japan. probs because last spring was OH SO FUN... okinawa vacation, hanami season, showa-day travels, tulip festival, and random adventures all over the ken.

seriously, i adored it.
and i absolutely CAN'T wait for d.c next month: more sakura, j-friends reunion, possible karaoke jam session, and a whole lotta reminiscing.

about a year ago

i took this photo on march 5, 2008.

i can hardly handle how different my life is today than it was one year ago. but i won't get into that right now. i'll just take your breath away with the beauty that = early mornings in himi, japan.
p.s. a year ago i also posted about how much i LOVE the onsen. mmmm, how i wish they had onsen in philly!

big bad mary lou

so i live with this family. they aren't related to me. but they're somehow working their way into my ice queen heart. and i'm so so so glad.

tonight i didn't have ANY plans. i was trying to be fine with that. i pictured myself reading my book for most of the night and possibly hitting up facebook to fill my empty hours. then when i got home, mary lou [or as i like to call her sometimes, ML] semi-announced she's getting sick. i said she should hit the hay and i'd do dinner.

i attempted dinner. sam and rebecca left for some homeschool music thing. and 2 minutes later ML came downstairs from bed. this was around, oh, maybe 6:50pm.

we have been sitting by the fire talking since then. aka basically 5 hours straight. <3

kids' books are the best

[shameless plug for my FAV children's author, lauren child: she writes the "charlie and lola" series, as well as all the "clarice bean" books!! check her out!]

tonight i did a suh-weet lesson on children's literature [thanks to my momma for the idea!]. my students each chose a kids' book and read through/looked at the pictures. then they each had to stand up in front of the class and give a little spiel about their book. wow, i was SO proud!

even the lowest level student, who stood with beads of sweat on his forehead, did his absolute best. i cracked up the entire time because he was trying so hard. <3

best quote of the night: "this book is about guinea pigs. i don't like guinea pigs because they are too small."

sweet things

* i really like the new song by keith urban "sweet thing". country music is one of my guilty pleasures. it makes my commute a lot better some days.

* today i got invited for lunch on sunday to the house of one of my new church friends. she has a wicked nice husband and cute kids. oh, and she's pretty great herself. YIPPEE!

* i spent a fun weekend with my fam

* i've gotten a ton of comments on my blog lately <3

* tomorrow i'm doing a lesson on children's books in my night class. momma helped me brainstorm on monday and i'm SO jazzed to see how it goes!

* i'm reading a fab book about japan life called "the secret life of mariko".

* the past two days have been brilliantly sunny. even though it's FREEZING, i don't mind so much because the sky is stunningly blue.
note: this photo has NOTHING to do with this post. but isn't my himi beach bea-u-tiful?!

a big old birthday shoutout!

yesterday was my parents' birthday. [yes, i know its INSANE that they were born on the same day on the same year!] since they're arriving tonight in time for a bday dinner and dessert, i consider the real celebration to be today. SO, in light of that, 53 things i adore about mom&dad.

1. they love love love love love each other
2. they work hard
3. they are wise with their money
4. they give generously!
5. they are so darn good looking
6. they go on adventures
7. they work hard for their extended families
8. they taught me how to pursue my friendships
9. they know people EVERYwhere
10. they gave me my little brother
11. they are consistent with their emotions
12. they ask good questions
13. they strive to be honest
14. they are a great example of what marriage should be
15. they love the Lord
16. they love to laugh
17. they taught me the joy of driving stick
18. they like delicious food
19. they encourage me to be brave
20. they challenge me when i'm wrong
21. they know the bible SO well
22. they spanked my butt when i was bad as a little kid
23. they taught me how to love my brother
24. they made road trips fun [bags of quarters, what what!]
25. they like getting to know my friends
26. they are interested in my students
27. they look out for me
28. they write me notes and emails
29. they take care of their parents
30. they can dance!
31. they care about the world in general
32. they mentor young people
33. they taught me how important it is to write thank-you notes
34. they took me to so many cool places over my lifetime
35. they recognize the importance of trying new things
36. they never give up on me
37. they made a lot of sacrifices to help me pay for college
38. they give me money advice
39. they like to be silly
40. they work hard on their relationship
41. they think it's fun to ride bikes
42. they think i'm funny
43. they used to make me do hard things so i would learn not to be afraid
44. they try to avoid getting stuck in a rut
45. they let me do crazy things even when they're scary
46. they encourage me to do my best
47. they love music
48. they give wonderful presents
49. they aren't selfish
50. they aren't materialistic
51. they want the best for my future
52. they forgive me
53. they have taught me how to forgive

mom and dad, I LOVE YOU! happy happy happy birthday <3

life lately

i've fallen out of blogger world during the past week or so. i was swamped with a work conference, then all of a sudden fan arrived, then it was v-day, then we were in nyc, then my work week started again. sheesh. this post is going to be round-about, in an attempt to summarize things in my life lately.

fan and i had incredible adventures together in new york. i like exploring, using my map, eating at new restaurants, and being surrounded by so many different languages.
yet somehow... on tuesday, when fan and i went to one of my fav philly restaurants [sahara grill] for lunch... i realized how much more of a philly girl i am. it's so fun, exciting, and comfortable here. we have tons of cool history, art, and culture. i know it relatively well. and i can sleep in my own bed after a day of adventure. it's unfathomable to me that some people DON'T like it but i guess i better not take it personally.

[homesweethome in the city of sisterly love]

today is february 23rd. 7 months ago i left japan. every month, on the 23rd, my emotions swirl up in weird-o ways. i start to reminisce and remember. and i start to miss japan. and to think about the possibility of going back someday. it's wicked strange.

kay thanks bye.

[p.s. totally forgot something hilarious: a couple weeks ago my j-friend mitsuko told me about a free market in philly. i told my friend jess we should go. after i looked it up online, i realized there was a little bitty problem. it's not really a free market. it's a flea market!!]